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Makati, Philippines
Joined November 2008
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WATCH: PNP headquarters in Manila has taken custody of computers, data storage devices, and other equipment alleged to contain child sexual abuse materials.
Regional State Prosecutor Graeme Elmido, who heads the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) in Region 7, told BusinessMirror that a court has authorized the PNP to conduct a forensic examination of the seized data, which authorities allege belonged to Thomas Markle Sr., father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
International media had reported that Markle Sr. has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies" and saying he has "nothing to hide." He has also said he would cooperate with investigators and welcomed a forensic examination of his devices.
📹Carmel Pedroza
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NEW RECORD HIGH: The Philippine national debt has surged to an unprecedented ₱19.66 trillion as of September 2026.
The Treasury Bureau attributes this historic peak to increased obligations from both new loans and currency fluctuations.
Specifically, the government borrowed an additional ₱7.66 billion domestically and ₱9.27 billion externally.
Furthermore, the depreciation of the peso added a significant ₱40.12 billion to the external debt and ₱1.12 billion to the value of Onshore Dollar Bonds | @reine_alberto
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PESO EXTENDS WIN-STREAK, CLOSES AT ₱63.74 VS USD
The Philippine peso extended its winning streak against the US dollar, gaining 11 centavos to close the week at ₱63.74:$1 on Friday, October 30, 2026, up from Thursday's ₱63.85 finish.
The local currency was buoyed by optimism following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s assurance that the government would intervene to prevent further slides. After opening stronger at ₱63.67, the peso hit an intraday high of ₱63.61 and a low of ₱63.77, according to Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) data.
Did the U.S. Federal Reserve just save the peso?
Not exactly, but it gave the Philippine currency some much-needed breathing room.
After days of losses, the peso strengthened after the Fed kept interest rates unchanged and global oil prices eased.
Why does that matter? ⤵️
When U.S. interest rates rise, investors tend to put more money into dollar assets. That boosts demand for dollars, strengthens the greenback, and puts pressure on currencies like the peso.
This time, the Fed held rates steady.
That eased some of the pressure on the peso and helped calm fears of even higher costs for imported fuel, food, medicine, and other essentials.
The peso isn't out of the woods yet. But at least this week, things didn't get worse.
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AI is proving to be a game changer for Philippine exports.
Philippine exports surged 36% in September, the fastest growth in five years, fueled by booming global demand for electronics used in AI and a weaker peso that made local goods more competitive abroad.
Electronics exports alone jumped 72%, pushing total exports to a record high.
📷 Bloomberg
Mayon Alert Raised to Level 3 After Explosive Eruption
DOST-PHIVOLCS has raised Mayon Volcano's alert status from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3 following a moderately explosive eruption at 11:53 a.m. Friday that sent a dense ash plume 3 kilometers above the summit crater. Ashfall is expected in parts of Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, and nearby areas in Albay.
Alert Level 3 indicates that Mayon has entered a new phase of magmatic eruption, increasing the likelihood of lava flows, pyroclastic density currents (PDCs), rockfalls, and other volcanic hazards in the coming days to weeks. PHIVOLCS recommends the evacuation of communities within the volcano's 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and heightened vigilance against lahars and sediment-laden flows along river channels. Aviation authorities are also advised to keep aircraft away from the volcano's summit due to the danger posed by volcanic ash. Based on prevailing winds, ashfall is most likely to affect communities on the southern side of Mayon. PHIVOLCS said it continues to closely monitor the volcano and will issue further updates as needed.
📹DOST-Phivolcs
FAREWELL, SIR PATRICK STEWART
Veteran British actor Sir Patrick Stewart, beloved for his roles as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, has died at 86.
Stewart died Wednesday in Los Angeles following a battle with Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia, his spokesperson confirmed.
A classically trained Shakespearean actor, he leaves behind a remarkable legacy on stage and screen.
#PatrickStewart
#StarTrek
#XMen
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The stars were out on Thursday night as the prestigious Michelin Guide recognized 127 outstanding dining establishments in select areas in the Philippines.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates steady, coupled with slightly lower global oil prices, have thrown some much-needed support for the Philippine peso as it strengthened for the second straight trading day on Thursday.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has assured consumers that suggested retail prices of 190 monitored basic necessities and prime commodities will remain unchanged until December 31, 2026, citing sufficient supplies nationwide.
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The country’s rice output tumbled by nearly 18 percent in the third quarter on the back of a shrinking harvest area, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said building physical cross-border infrastructure for the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) must be matched by robust regulatory cooperation to build institutional confidence.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has declared void the regulation and circular issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) imposing withholding tax on the remittances by e-marketplace operators (EMOs) and digital financial services providers (DFSPs) to merchants for the goods or services sold through their platform.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Department of Finance (DOF) is urging lawmakers to pass its proposed tax reform package immediately to boost household purchasing power by balancing tax relief with higher excise taxes.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking at the approval of three vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) in 2027, as the deadly hog disease continues to wreak havoc on smallholder farms.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
Weak infrastructure spending and sluggish construction activity are expected to keep Philippine cement demand subdued this year, although a possible dry spell could help construction work resume, according to industry executives.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the Philippines can successfully meet the challenges of rising global electricity demand while accelerating its decarbonization goals.
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
Imported rice and fertilizer will be costlier for Filipinos amid the continued weakening of the peso, which hit a new record low of P64 per dollar, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
businessmirror.com.ph/2026/1…
